August 2010 Newsletter

Statement

Healthcare Reform: What Does It Mean For the 7th Congressional District
The debate around healthcare has been swirling for many years and it will continue swirling for many more years to come.
However, 2010 has proven to be the year that the United States Congress, with leadership from President Barack Obama, made a major thrust towards providing access to 32 million of our people who had little or no health insurance coverage.
Contained in the Patient Care and Affordability Act of 2010 are provisions which get rid of exclusions in insurance policies based upon pre-existing conditions, prohibiting insurers from rescinding coverage except in cases involving fraud or misrepresentation
of material facts. It provides for doctor choice and removes insurance company barriers to emergency department services.
The 7th Congressional District of Illinois is uniquely situated to derive tremendous economic, education, work opportunity and health status improvement benefit from this legislation. With twenty-one hospitals, four medical schools, two VA medical centers, ninetytwo community health center clinic sites, specialty health programs, community mental health centers and a great deal of health education, awareness and promotion activity we are most fortunate and eager to create one of the healthiest communities in urban America.
According to the Committee on Energy and Commerce (the committee charged with overseeing health care issues) the health reform
bill will:
! Improve coverage for 334,000 residents in our district with health insurance
! Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 158,000 families and 14,100 small businesses in our district to help them
afford coverage
! Improve medicare for 76,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole. Some seniors should have already received
a refund check for this year.
! Provide health insurance coverage to 49,000 uninsured residents
! Guarantee that 11,500 residents with pre-existing conditions can receive coverage
! Protect 1500 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable healthcare costs
! Allow 60,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parent's insurance plans
! Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 92 community health center sites in our district
!Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other healthcare providers by $222 million dollars annually

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee and co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I was intimately involved with helping to shape this legislation including meetings with Obama Administration officials, state and local health officials and representatives of health care institutions from hospitals to community health centers. It was indeed a meaningful and fulfilling experience. Throughout the deliberation I focused much of my attention on the needs of disproportionate share hospitals, community health centers, physicians reimbursement for servicing Medicare and Medicaid patients, the needs of individuals who are mentally and physically challenged as well as the need to train more primary care physicians and provide more resources for education, prevention, early detection and screening.
While this bill does not provide for universal coverage or for a public option,
it is the best thing that has happened for health care since passage of the
Medicare and Medicaid legislation and the health rights legislation of the midsixties.
Now we must make it work. To find out more about how the legislation is working please go to www.healthcare.gov.

Davis Addresses Postal Regulatory Commission Field Hearing on Possible
Six Day to Five Day Delivery and Related Service Changes.
At its June 21st Field Hearing held in Room 201 of Chicago's City Hall, Davis welcomed the Commission to Chicago, expressed understanding of the seriously challenging decisions they would have to make to try and keep the Postal Service viable while balancing the needs of as many of it stakeholders as possible. In the final analysis Congressman Davis indicated that he was not in favor of reducing deliveries to five days and was not in favor of any substantial rate increase, especially for not-for-profit mailers and would hope that there would be enough pension overpayment to meet Postal Services financial needs until a more permanent solution is found.

Doctors Need a Permanent Fix for Treating Medicare Patients
As good as the health care reform bill is, unfortunately it did not, in my opinion, adequately address the medical payment system relative to Medicare, one of the most important factors that determine whether or not senior citizens have access to the physician services they need. Many of these patients, our most beloved and cherished seniors are continously at risk of not knowing whether or not their physician will be there when they need them. This situation exists because the Congress has repeatedly failed to step up to the plate and adequately address Medicare funding. I strongly support a permanent change in the formula for reimbursing doctors and other providers.
It is true that we finally passed a temporary extension in late June after having let an unbelievable 21% cut in physician payment stake effect on June 1st . The emporary fix is retroactive to June 1st and is scheduled to last until November 30. After which we will be right back where we were unless Congress acts again. I shall be working to make this fix permanent or at least very long range.
Our seniors deserve nothing less!

Davis/Burris/Jackson/Rush Introduce Anti-Torture Bill
On Thursday, July 1, 2010, Representative Danny K. Davis, along with Representatives Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Bobby Rush introduced the Law Enforcement Torture Prevention Act (HR5688). U.S. Senator Roland Burris has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
Jon Burge, while a high ranking Chicago police officer, was accused of torturing 110 individuals to confess to crimes which resulted in death row and other prison sentences, which were ultimately overturned. A number of investigations concluded that Burge and other officers under his command had used torture to obtain false confessions, but ultimately none of the investigations resulted in prosecution of the guilty. Using the Jon Burge experience as an example of why this legislation is needed, this bill defines law enforcement torture clearly and unambiguously, makes it a federal criminal offense and removes any statute of limitations.
Upon introduction Congressman Davis stated: "Had this bill been in effect, former Chicago Police Detective Jon Burge would have been found guilty of torture and not just perjury."

Education Still Is The Key
Although no longer serving on the Education Committee, as co-chairman of the
Congressional Black Caucus Community Reinvestment Task Force and as
chairman of the Child Welfare Braintrust of the Congressional Black Caucus I
remain fully engaged with education issues and am in regular contact with
Education Secretary Arne Duncan to discuss concepts, issues and programs as they
relate to legislation. As a former teacher and counselor it is important to me to
visit classrooms and get a first-hand feel for issues confronting teachers and
students.
The 111th Congress has been very productive in the field of education advancing
minority serving institutions, especially a new category called PBIs (Predominately
Black-Serving Institutions). My continued commitment to education includes
intense participation in re-authorizing the Competes Act and continued support and
advocacy for Higher Education. Also on my list of priorities this session has been
Congressman Davis discusses the importance of reading with students in the Jumpstart program of The National Teachers Academy, Chicago Public Schools increasing Pell Grants, additional resources for all categories of Minority-Serving Institutions, funds for medical education and for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education).
The new Health Care & Education Affordability Reconciliation Act included $1.5 billion for voluntary, early childhood home visitation programs which was a particular focus of my efforts. Several agencies in the 7 District has excellent home visitation programs including the Near North Health Corporation. The funding for home visiting provides a critical opportunity for federal, state and local assistance to communities using a proven and cost effective way to improve school readiness, well-being and health for children and families.
Also in the Health Care & Education Affordability Reconciliation Act was critical funding for education that will help thousands of students from Chicago and Illinois attend and succeed in college. By increasing Pell Grants from $5,500 to $5,975 in 2017 many more students will be able to attend college. The law makes it easier to pay back student loans by limiting one's monthly payment to no more than 10% of discretionary income. This was another priority of mine in the bill which made the largest investment ever in our nation's minority-serving institutions. Among other provisions, the law provides $150 million over the next ten years for competitive grants for PBIs to strengthen the capacity of these schools to attract, retain and graduate students. The Chicago area has many PBIs that draw students from the 7th Congressional District that can compete for these funds including: Chicago State University, Malcolm X College, Harold Washington College, Olive Harvey College, Kennedy King College, East-West University, Robert Morris College, South Suburban College and Prairie State College.

Representative Davis Considers Need for Legislative Response to Supreme Court Decision to Strike Down Chicago Gun Ban Ordinance
Congress has been intimately involved in the on-going debate over the regulation of fire arms for many years. Meanwhile, gun violence continues to plague America in a very serious way, especially in large urban centers. The Chicago metropolitan area has had, and continues to have, more than its share of such violence. Reducing the availability of guns is good public policy and is one which I support. Fifty-four people shot in Chicago during just one weekend tells us that things are out of control, that something must be done that works. Regulating the ownership and use of guns is no panacea; but it is an important part of the solution.
On June 28, 2010 in the case of McDonald v. Chicago, the Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling which had the effect of striking down Chicago's Gun Ban Ordinance. The City Council and the mayor of Chicago moved quickly and responsibly to pass new legislation in compliance with the court's new interpretation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It seems certain that the decision will spawn a flood of lawsuits for many years to come and will continue to be an issue demanding the attention of the Congress.

Job Creation and Retention: A Top Davis Priority
The economic stimulus efforts of the Congress and President Obama are beginning to take hold and show results. The economy is beginning to show some stabilization but it is clear that the recovery remains fragile and unemployment, the most important part of the recovery, remains high, unacceptably high. In some communities it is staggering. As a result the focus of my time, effort and energy remains on pressing legislation designed to stimulate manufacturing such as my bill to provide tax credits to assist with the building of lightweight freight coal cars (HR4494) and another still under development for the production of composite light poles.
An critical piece of my legislative agenda involves working with agencies of state and local government and with federal agencies to develop and strategically place resources where they can do the most good for the least cost such as the "Put Illinois to Work" program which is a paid work experience where trainee workers are paid subsidized wages as they learn skills "on-the-job". Another urgent need requiring my leadership in the Congress has been finding the funding for a summer jobs program for youth.
There is broad bipartisan agreement in the Congress on the importance of breaking down barriers for small business to contract with the federal government in many areas where the private sector has proven to be more efficient and more effective. One such area is the use of LIHEAP funds to do weatherization. A recent initiative by my office has resulted in a very successful training session at the Chicago Laborer's Training and Apprentice Center at 5700 West Homer in Chicago where CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Incorporated which administers federal energy assistance in Cook County) representatives taught local contractors how to meet specifications for such work.
As an active member of a Congressional coalition led by Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Detroit, Michigan, my voice has been clear and consistent in the effort to create 750,000 jobs in local communities by establishing a $75 billion fund to be distributed to governors, county executives, mayors and other local jurisdictions to fund needed public service jobs and work
opportunities.

Top Seven Reasons Why Representative Davis Voted for the Supplemental Appropriations Bill (HR4899)
1) Disaster relief (Gulf Coast)
2) Summer jobs
3) Settlement payment of the long standing court decision on discrimination by USDA against Black farmers Pigford v Glickman
4) Mine safety
5) Drug interdiction and counter-drug activities
6) Assistance to Haiti
7) Food for Peace grants

7th Congressional District Earmark Appropriations
At the time of writing of this newsletter various Appropriation sub-Committees have approved the following earmarks for 7th Congressional District projects: Transportation - Chicago Union Station improvments $500,000; Housing and Urban Development - Ashunti Residential Management Systems renovation of existing facilities $600,000; Agriculture - University of Illinois at Chicago Urban Horticulture and Marketing $104,000; Commerce, Justice and Science - North Lawndale Employment Network U-Turn program $250,000, Sankofa Safe Child Initiative Juvenile Justice Leadership $150,000, TASC, Inc. Indigenous Community Connections $200,000, Westside Health Authority Prisoner Re-Entry Center $300,000.
National Responsible Fatherhood Legislation Advances Congressman Davis has been the sponsor of legislation helping fathers to become more prepared for fatherhood and to be more engaged in the lives of their children for a number of years. During the 110th Congress Davis and the late Representative Julia Carson of Indiana introduced the Responsible Fatherhood Act in the House of Representatives. Then U.S. Senator Barack Obama and Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The 110th Congress ended with no final action being taken and the bill was re-introduced into the 111th Congress by Congressman Davis, Andre Carson of Indiana, Artur Davis of Alabama and others as the Julia Carson Responsible Fatherhood Act. Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana re-introduced it in the Senate.
On June 17, 2010, Chairman Jim McDermott held a hearing in the sub-Committee on Income Security and Family Support of the Ways and Means Committee to review the effectiveness of fatherhood programs in improving the relationship between non-custodial parents and their children as well as their ability to provide financial support. These are essential elements of the Responsible Fatherhood legislation and Representative Davis applauded Chairman McDermott for his leadership on these issues.
On June 21, 2010, Congressman Davis was invited to accompany President Obama and appear with him at a national symposium dealing with Responsible Fatherhood in Washington, DC. Davis' office has been actively engaged with the organizations promoting Responsible Fatherhood, studying their experiences and seeking to continue to shape the legislation most effectively. Davis has indicated that he is optimistic about the prospects for passage of the legislation.
Second Year of Funding for Second Chance Act 2010 is the second year of funding for the Second Chance Act and Congress is considering what funding will be included in the upcoming appropriations bills. Representative Davis has participated with the Justice Department in training sessions to discuss best practices and has visited with almost all of the 2009 grantees and listened carefully to their reports on the results of their programs. Most have shown very positive results with declines in recidivism as individuals return home to their communities from jails and prisons. State Prison populations have declined slightly. The 7th Congressional District is home to many excellent programs, some of which are considered to be national models. My ex-offender advisory committee meets regularly and you are welcome to join it, or any of our advisory committees by calling 773-533-7520.
Chicago Board of Options Exchange: A Key 7th District Business Entity
The 7th Congressional District is home to a diverse business and commerce community.
From small ma and pa businesses, to restaurants featuring everything from soul food
to ethnic option in Greek Town, Little Italy and China Town to international players
such as the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. As a member of the Ways and
Means Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform it is part
of my responsibilities to consider legislation and regulations impacting these business
interests. I recently met with representatives of the Chicago Board Options Exchange
to discuss their concerns with how the trading of equity options and futures are treated under the tax code. Given the importance of such trades to Chicago and the economy as a whole, I am following closely these concerns.

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